Toy boat with propulsion means and water cannon

ABSTRACT

A TOY BOAT HAVING AN EXPANDABLE BULB POWER UNIT THEREIN WHICH, IN RESPONSE TO INTERMITTENT SQUEEZING OF A HAND-HELD BULB, INTERMITTENTLY DRAWS WATER INTO AND EJECTS WATER FROM A PRESSURE CHAMBER THROUGH AN EXIT PORT TO CAUSE THE BOAT TO BE PROPELLED FORWARD AND TO SQUIRT WATER OUT OF A WATER CANNON WHICH IS ON THE BOAT AND CONNECTED TO THE POWER UNIT. THE DISCHARGE PORT THROUGH WHICH THE PROPULSION WATER IS EJECTED IS SPECIALLY SHAPED AND HAS A SPECIALLY SHAPED GUIDE STRUCTURE AROUND IT IN ORDER TO SPREAD THE PROPULSION WATER IN A PREFERRED MANNER. SAID BOAT HAS A SPECIAL GUIDE STRUCTURE AROUND THE EXIT PORT IN ORDER TO DRAW WATER IN FRONT OF THE EXIT PORT AND FORCE THAT WATER REARWARDLY TO INCREASE THE PROPULSION EFFECTIVENESS OF THE WATER BEING EJECTED THROUGH THE EXIT PORT.

1971 JAN OKONSKI I 3,613,298

TOY BOAT WITH PROPULSION MEANS AND WATER CANNON Filed Sept. 5, 1969 FIGJ BY W W 77019 5) United States Patent 01 ice 3,613,298 Patented Oct. 19, 1971 3,613,298 TOY BOAT WITH PROPULSION MEANS AND WATER CANNON Jan Okonski, 1032 Andrews, Tustin, Calif. 92680 Filed Sept. 3, 1969, Ser. No. 854,880 Int. Cl. A63h 23/06 US. C]. 46-95 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A toy boat having an expandable bulb power unit therein which, in response to intermittent'squeezing of a hand-held bulb, intermittently draws water into and ejects water from a pressure chamber through an exit port to cause the boat to be propelled forward and to squirt water out of a water cannon which is on the boat and connected to the power unit. The discharge port through which the propulsion water is ejected is specially shaped and has a specially shaped guide structure around it in order to spread the propulsion water in a preferred manner. Said boat has a special guide structure around the exit port in order to draw water in front of the exit port and force that water rearwardly to increase the propulsion effectiveness of the water being ejected through the exit port.

This invention relates to toy boats, and more particularly, to toy boats which have a hand-held squeeze bulb con nected thereto by a flexible tube, and intermittent squeezing of the bulb will cause the boat to operate.

Toy boats having squeeze bulb power units have been provided in the past. For example, my Patent No. 3,193,- 967, issued July 13, 1965, discloses such a boat.

I have found that the efficiency of a toy boat of this type can be increased by shaping in a particular manner the exit port through which the propulsion water is ejected. This efficiency is further augmented by providing around the exit point a guide means which is of considerably larger diameter than the exit port. This guide means spreads the discharge of water in a preferred manner. Also, the guide means has an open front end just forward (with respect to the boat) of the exit port. Therefore, water ejecting from the exit port will draw water through the front end of the guide means which water is thrust rearwardly with the water being ejected from the exit port. This increases the propulsive efficiency of the water being ejected from the exit port.

Another aspect of the present invention is that there is connected to the squeeze bulb motor power unit a water cannon so that water is squirted therefrom each time the squeeze bulb is squeezed. This water caution is structured so that it can be turned in different directions relative to the boat. Further, the water cannon includes a one-way valve in order that air will not be drawn into the pressure chamber of the squeeze bulb motor whenever the squeeze bulb is released.

Another aspect of the present invention is that it provides a very rugged toy boat which can be manufactured at a low cost.

With the foregoing in mind, it is a major object of this invention to provide an improved toy boat.

Another object of this invention is to provide a toy boat having a power plant which intermittently discharges water through an exit port which is especially shaped to improve the performance thereof.

Still another object of this inventtion is to provide a toy boat which has a water cannon thereon to intermittently squirt water therefrom.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a toy boat having a water cannon thereon, and propulsion means, which boat can be manufactured at a low cost,

and yet the boat is not susceptible to being easily damaged.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a toy boat which is propelled by water ejecting from an exit port, which toy boat has guide means for increasing the propulsive efiiciency of the water being ejected from the exit port.

Other and further objects of this invention will become apparent in the detailed description below in conjunction with the attached drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a prospective view of a toy boat incorporating a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross section view of the boat shown in FIG. 1 taken along the center line of the boat;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the boat shown in FIG. 1, taken along line 33 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a rear view-of the boat as seen along line 4-4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the squeeze bulb power unit of the boat;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the nozzle area of the water cannon of the boat; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view of the exit port and the guide, taken along line 77 in FIG. 4.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a toy boat, indicated generally by the arrow 10, incorporating a preferred embodiment of the present invention. This boat 10 is preferably made of plastic, having two main portions, to wit, a hull 11 and a top 12. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the top 12 has a depending flange 13 around the perimeter of the top, which depending flange engages perimeter edge 14 of the hull 11 for the purpose of selectively holding the top and the hull together.

A hand-held squeeze bulb 15 is connected to the power unit (to be described later) in the interior of the boat by means of a relatively long flexible tube. Then, by means to be described, the boat is propelled by intermittent squeezing and releasing of the hand-held bulb 15. Also, by means to be described, this action will cause water to be intermittently squirted from a water cannon (indifiated generally by the arrow 17) on the boat 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 to 5 in particular, the power means within the boat 10 will be described in further detail. Within cavity 18 in the hull 11 there is provided a closed cylinder 19 fixed to a bed 20 integrally formed with bottom 21 of the hull 11. Cylinder 19 is preferably made of rigid clear plastic in order to perform its function and yet permit easy inspection of the power unit.

As best seen in FIG. 5, the closed cylinder 19 defines a pressure chamber 22, and is closed at its rear end to the right as seen in FIG. 5) by the rear plate 25, while plug 26 closes the front end (to the left as seen in FIG. 5 of the cylinder 19.

Disposed within the pressure chamber 22, there is provided a flexible diaphragm 28, which is preferably made of a material such as, e.g., rubber or plastic. This diaphragm 28 encloses therein a diaphragm chamber 29, and has a mouth which is connected to one end (the right end as seen in FIG. 5) of pass-through tube 30 which is sealed to the plug 26. As can be seen, one end of the tube 16 is connected to the left end (as seen in FIG. 5) of the pass-through tube 30. And accordingly, intermittent squeezing of the bulb 15 will cause the diaphragm 28 to move between a fully expanded position (indicated by dash line 31) and a fully collapsed position. In FIG. 5, the diaphragm 28 is shown in a partially collapsed condition. Accordingly, bulb 15 is shown in FIG. 5 with an indented portion 32 thereon.

Near the bottom of the rear plate 25, there is secured a connection tube 34. This connection tube 34 has a flexible joinder tube 35 secured thereto, which last-mentioned tube is in turn connected to the forward end of exit port tube 36 (see FIG. 2 in particular). As contrasted to the flexible joinder tube (which is made of some material such as, e.g., plastic), the exit port tube 36 is preferably made of metal such as, e.g., brass. This exit port tube 36 extends from its position inside the cavity 18, through the bottom 21 of the hull 11 to an exterior point where it terminates in an exit port 37. As best seen in FIG. 4, the exit port 37 has a rectangular shape with the width of the port being approximately four times wider than the height of the port. This spreads the flow of the water ejecting from the port 37. Further, as can be best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, there is provided a guide, indicated generally by the arrow 40, to further direct the water exiting the exit port 37. This guide takes the form of a bottom plate 38, with side plates 39 upstanding from the left and right hand edges of the said bottom plate. The guide 40 is connected to the assembly by having the bottom plate 38 fixed to the underside of the rear end of the exit port tube 36. It will be noted that the bottom plate 38 and the side plates 39 are displaced slightly away from the bottom 21 of the hull 11. Further, the side plates 39 are further apart than the width of the rear end of the exit port tube 36. Therefore, water ejecting from the exit port 37 causes water to be drawn from the area immediately in front of the guide 40 and through the guide where it is expelled (along with the water exiting the exit port 37) rearwardly. This increases the propulsive action of the assembly.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, the flexible tube 16 extends into the cavity 18 through a centrally disposed hole 41 in the rear of the hull 11.

Disposed towards the upper edge of the rear plate 25 there is fixed a connection tube 42 made of some rigid material. In order to facilitate manufacture and assembly of the boat 10, there is provided a flexible joinder tube 43 received over the connection tube 42. This flexible joinder tube 43 has its other end connected to a right anchor sleeve 45 which is fixed in roof section 46 of the top 12. The forward end of the anchor sleeve. 45 has a flexible swivel tube 48 received thereover for a purpose which will be described.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a preferred embodiment of the nozzle area of the water cannon 17. This nozzle area includes a valve seat member 50, having a frustro-conical valve seat 51 therein. At the small end of the frustro-conical seat 51, there is provided a short rigid connection tube 52 over which is received the abovementioned flexible swivel tube 48. At the big end of the valve seat member 50, there is provided a collar 53 having interior threads for a purpose to be described.

In front of the valve seat member 50, there is provided a valve seat cover 54 having a frustro-conical interior 55. At its large end 56, the cover 54 has threads which mate with the threads in the collar 53. At its small end, the cover 54 is provided with an exit nozzle hole 57 through which the water is squirted into the air. It will be noted that the diameter of the hole 57 is slightly smaller than the frustro-conical interior thus providing an annular ledge 58. A very weak compression spring 59 has one end resting on that ledge 58, and is used to resiliently urge ball 60 against the frustro-conical valve seat 51. It should be noted that the valve structure can be very easily cleaned or repaired by merely unthreading the cover 54.

With the just described arrangement, it can be seen that the water can move from the tube 48 through the nozzle assembly and out through the nozzle hole 57. However, air cannot move from the nozzle hole 57 into the tube 48. This is necessary in order that air will not be drawn down into the pressure chamber 22 when the bulb 15 is released.

The interior structure of the nozzle assembly in FIG. 6 should be noted. As can be seen, the two cooperating 4 frustro-conical sectionsprovided by the valve seat member 50 and the valve seat cover 54 function to provide a very smooth interiorthus reducing pressure losses as water is squirted through the assembly.

In operation, the device is used as follows. After the boat 10 has been placed in Water, the bulb 15 is squeezed to its fully extended position. This will force most of the air out of the pressure chamber 22. Then, the bulb 15 is released, and the resiliency of the bulb will cause the diaphragm 28 to collapsedrawing water into the pressure chamber 22. (Air cannot come into the pressure chamber 22 because of the ball 60.) Then, the boat is turned with its nose slightly downward in order that the remaining air in the pressure chamber 22 is moved into the area by the connection tube 42. Then, the bulb 15 is squeezed again until water is squirted out of the cannon l7. Then-ma king sure that the exit port 37 is below the level of the waterthe bulb 15 is released. This will collapse the diaphragm 28 and draw water through the exit port 37 into the pressure chamber 22-thus fully charging the pressure chamber. At this time the boat is ready for play. The user can merely intermittently squeeze the bulb 15. And, this action will cause the boat to be propelled forward and squirt water out of the cannon 17. The tube 48 permits the water cannon to be turned temporarily upward or more downward or to either side of the boat by applying pressure with the users fingers.

It is preferred that the water cannon be directed upwardly and toward the front side as shown. However, the boat 10 could be provided so that the water cannon normally-i.e., when the user is not turning the cannon relative to the boatsquirts water toward the rear side of the boat or to either the left or right sides of the boat.

While only one embodiment of the present invention has been shown, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that such is by Way of illustration only, and numerous changes can be made thereto Without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

I claim:

1. A toy boat adapted to be placed in water with the bottom of its hull being below water, said boat comprising:

a boat hull defining a cavity within the hull;

exit port passage means extending from the interior of said hull through the bottom of said hull, said exit port passage means having an exit port opening on the bottom side of said hull;

guide means located on the bottom of said hull for directing water exiting said exit port rearwardly of said boat hull, said exit port opening into said guide means, said guide means including:

wall means substantially defining a passage which is substantially larger in cross section than said exit port; power means located within said cavity for intermittently e ecting water from the power means through said exit port and guide means to cause the boat to be moved forwardly by each ejection of water.

2. The toy boat set forth in claim 1 wherein the passage formed by sald guide means is many times wider than it is high.

3. The toy boat set forth in claim 1 wherein said power means includes:

a pressure chamber fixed to said boat hull in said cavity;

expandable diaphragm means including a diaphragm in said chamber for at least partially filling said chamber and ejecting water in said chamber therefrom when air is filling said diaphragm;

said exit port passage means connects the interior of said pressure chamber with water when the boat is floating in water;

and means operatively connected to said expandable diaphragm means for intermittently causing said diaphragm to fill with air and thereby eject water from said pressure chamber through said exit port passage means.

4. The toy boat set forth in claim 3 wherein said lastmentioned means intermittently causes said diaphragm to contract so as to draw water into said pressure chamber.

5. The toy boat set forth in claim 1 including:

tube means forming a cannon extending generally upward from and toward one side of said hull, said cannon having an open end, said tube means being operatively connected to said pressure chamber;

and said power means cause water to be ejected from said tube means into the air each time that the power means ejects water from said power means.

6. The toy boat set forth in claim 5 including: one-way valve means operatively connected to said tube means for permitting water to be ejected from the tube means into the air and for preventing air to be drawn back into the open end of the cannon.

7. The toy boat set forth in claim 6 wherein said oneway valve means includes:

a frusto-conical valve seat fixed to said tube means at the small end of the valve seat;

a ball received in said frusto-conical valve seat, said ball being of such diameter as related to the valve seat that the ball engages the seat when the ball is intermediate the small and the large ends of the seat;

and means for retaining said ball in the area of said seat.

8. The toy boat set forth in claim 7 wherein said lastmentioned means includes: a valve seat cover having a generally frusto-conical interior with the big end thereof being connected to said valve seat, said valve seat cover having an open end therethrough which allows water within the valve means to be ejected therefrom.

9. The toy boat set forth in claim 8 wherein said valve seat cover is removably connected to said valve seat, whereby the valve may be opened for repair.

10. The toy boat set forth in claim 8 wherein said one-way valve means includes: means resiliently urging said ball toward said valve seat.

11. The toy boat set forth in claim 1 wherein said exit port is many times wider than it is high.

12. The toy boat set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said wall means forms a passage having an opening at the front and rear ends thereof, said opening at each end of said passage being substantially larger than said exit port;

and said exit port opens rearwardly at a point in said passage intermediate said forward and reward openings in said passage, whereby water exiting the exit port will tend to draw Water in front of said passage through said opening in the forward end of said passage.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,331,187 10/1943 Harris 46-95 2,628,451 2/ 1953 Goldfarb 46--93 3,142,285 7/1964 Sorrentino 46-95 X 3,193,967 7/1965 Okonski 4695 LOUIS G. MANCENE, Primary Examiner R. F. CUTTING, Assistant Examiner 

